TSA Pre-Check, Global Entry, Nexus & CLEAR

UPDATED OCT 2022: We added information on CLEAR since it is a newer program that wasn’t available when this original blog post was written.

So, you love to travel. But you hate the hassle that comes along with airports these days. I get it. But there are so many fantastic programs out there now that can make the process so much less painful! Dare I even say, downright easy breezy?

TSA PRE-CHECK

First off, TSA Pre-Check is the bomb dot com. Yep, I said it. Bomb. But I don’t mean literal bomb. I have to clear that up because traveling with bombs is a BIG no-no and could get you in some serious trouble!

Now, here is the scoop from Trusted Traveler website:

“TSA Pre✓® is an expedited security screening program connecting travelers departing from the United States with smarter security and a better air travel experience. Passengers considered low-risk who qualify for the program can receive expedited screening either as a member of the program or another specific trusted traveler group.”

TSA Pre-Check Website

You are able to keep on your shoes, keep your laptops in your luggage, you don’t have to remove your liquids, and you get to keep most of your clothes on (woohoo!).

The $85 fee will provide you TSA Pre-Check coverage for FIVE years.

This service isn’t available to every airline or airport so make sure to check which ones are included before applying to make sure you can use it at your home airport and airline you use most. This service is available to U.S. citizens and U.S. lawful permanent residents.

Sounds pretty good, right? It is almost like traveling in the 90s!

BOTTOM LINE? TSA Pre-Check is basically a way to get through the security line quicker when traveling to a domestic or international destination. 

GLOBAL ENTRY

Now that we’ve covered TSA Pre-Check, let’s talk about the Global Entry program. This program is very similar to the TSA program, but for International travel. In addition to United States Citizens, Global Entry is available to U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, and select foreign nationals. Please check their list for more details to see who is eligible.

Here is the scoop from the Trusted Traveler website:

“Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. Members enter the United States through automatic kiosks at select airports.

At airports, program members proceed to Global Entry kiosks, present their machine-readable passport or U.S. permanent resident card, place their fingerprints on the scanner for fingerprint verification and complete a customs declaration. The kiosk issues the traveler a transaction receipt and directs the traveler to baggage claim and the exit.

Travelers must be pre-approved for the Global Entry program. All applicants undergo a rigorous background check and in-person interview before enrollment.”

Global Entry Website

Again, this service isn’t available at every airport or port of entry so make sure to check which ones are included before applying to make sure you can use it at your home airport.

The application fee for Global Entry is $100 and is valid for FIVE years. Children under 18 need to apply and pay for their own service if you want them to use the same re-entry lines as you. One great thing about Global Entry is that it comes with TSA Pre-Check. This is a great deal if you do a lot of domestic and international travel without children.

One note: There is a great mobile app called Mobile Passport that gives you free or a low cost (if you want it to save your information) alternative to Global Entry. It depends on the airport but you will often follow the same lines as the Global Entry holders. This app allows you to pre-fill out the customs declaration form so you can avoid the kiosks. It can even be faster sometimes! I recommend both Global Entry and Mobile Passport if possible.

BOTTOM LINE? Global Entry is basically a "skip the line" option for bypassing customs upon re-entry to the United States. 

NEXUS

Canadian citizens and residents are eligible for Global Entry benefits through membership in the NEXUS program. Here is what the Trusted Traveler website has to say about it:

The NEXUS program allows pre-screened travelers expedited processing when entering the United States and Canada. Program members use dedicated processing lanes at designated northern border ports of entry, NEXUS kiosks when entering Canada by air and Global Entry kiosks when entering the United States via Canadian Preclearance airports. NEXUS members also receive expedited processing at marine reporting locations.

NEXUS Website

This service is available to U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, Canadian citizens, Canadian permanent residents, and Mexican nationals. It is always best to check their list of who is eligible to apply for this program.

The application fee for NEXUS is $50 and is valid for FIVE years. As a bonus, children under 18 can be covered for free. They just have to apply just like the adults. Another bonus is that NEXUS comes with Global Entry AND TSA Pre-Check benefits so this is a fantastic deal. The problem is that you generally have to apply in person near the Canada/USA border so this isn’t always a good option for everyone. Also, both Canada and the USA need to approve this pass so if either country denies your application, you are out of luck.

BOTTOM LINE? NEXUS is basically the Canadian version of Global Entry. It allows fast "skip the line" entry between Canada and USA by car or air.  

CLEAR

Now that we covered most of the Trusted Traveler programs available, let’s talk about CLEAR. This is a completely separate program that is membership based and it is quite a bit more expensive than the other programs listed above. There are ways to reduce the cost (like some credit cards and some mileage plan members) but membership with CLEAR costs $189 per year.

Here is the scoop from the CLEAR website:

“CLEAR allows for a quick identity verification experience. Step right up to a CLEAR pod and verify you are you with your eyes or fingerprint instead of waiting to show government issued photo I.D.”

“CLEAR Plus is our airport membership. With CLEAR Plus, you can move faster through airport security nationwide in our designated Lanes at TSA checkpoints. Our friendly Ambassadors help you verify your identity at a CLEAR Pod—no need to pull out your ID—so you can save time and avoid big lines.”

CLEAR Website

Is it worth it? It depends on how often you travel. You also have to keep in mind what airports you frequently travel from as CLEAR isn’t available in as many places. If you are a sports fan, this might be a big benefit for you to skip those lines at sporting events. Also, as more people start getting TSA Precheck, those lines will start to get longer and when that happens, CLEAR can help.

Applying for CLEAR is the simplest of all the programs described above. It takes about 5 minutes and there is no security or background check needed. You can pre-register online but you have to finish your registration at one of the kiosks at an airport so they can scan your fingerprints and iris. No interviews or making an appointment is needed.

We recommend TSA Precheck and CLEAR if you can afford it. TSA Precheck lines are almost always shorter and they are available in many more airports than CLEAR. You don’t have to take off your shoes, take out your liquids or laptops when you have TSA Precheck which is really nice. However, if you go through an airport without TSA Precheck? They might have CLEAR so you can at least get to the front of the regular security line.

BOTTOM LINE? CLEAR Plus allows you to skip to the front of whatever security line you happen to qualify for.  

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So, now you’re equipped with all this awesome knowledge on TSA Pre-Check, Global Entry and NEXUS. They now have a central website where you can apply for all three programs (and more) plus they have some handy information about each.

Now, don’t you feel less stressed about the prospect of traveling by air? The time you save is enough to make the stress melt away! Now, pick a destination and let’s get you in the air!

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This blog post was written on Feb 15, 2016 by one of our previous Travel Agents, Pam Taylor, who has now moved on from our company. We can help you plan a trip so please contact one of our Travel Experts on our staff to get started!